Marble wall

  • Thread starter Thread starter Londonfatcat
  • Start date Start date
L

Londonfatcat

New member
Hello all,

I'm an interior designer and I've been commissioned to design a recording studio, working with a contractor that specialises in building recording studios.

My client really likes marble and we talked about doing a wall feature. Please see attached. The contractor hasn't said anything about it, rather on a general note stated that once everything's in place, they'll do sound tests and may have to add acoustic panels behind the sofa, judging by how the sound bounces.

FYI behind the desk there are 3 floor to ceiling acoustic panels at a slant, as indicated in the lighting plan attached.

I read on a forum here that marble floors are ok if sufficient absorbers are put in place. Therefore, by that principle, will having this feature wall be ok?

Appreciate any feedback/assurances...is the contractor's (lack of) opinion fine? I want to get this right for my client.

Many thanks.


Uzo_Studio_1B.webp

20210215_120526.webp
 
I'm no expert, but I think you need to hire an acoustic design specialist. Is this just a listening room? What are the overall dimensions of this room? Is that supposed to be a vocal booth (middle left with the purple dot in it)? If so, guessing by some of the other dimensions that are shown, it is probably less than an ideal size (what about ventilation to it?) I don't understand a lot of your features - why the staggered panels on the FRONT wall? A marble side wall sounds like a sure-fire way to have an unbalanced stereo image because of reflections. I don't see any good reason for the slanted left-side wall or top wall, unless that is a constraint from the rest of the design.
 
Wouldn't the contractor who specialises in building recording studios know that perhaps that marble wall idea might not be a good one? Same for some of the other design concepts?
 
TimOD said:
Wouldn't the contractor who specialises in building recording studios know that perhaps that marble wall idea might not be a good one? Same for some of the other design concepts?
Click to expand...
Contractors just build whatever is on the blueprint.
 
True enough, but if the contractor specializes in a type of build, would'nt he know a bit about that type of build? And, if they see something on a print that is unusual or wrong, I think they'd be inclined to comment.
 
Thank you all for the comments. The contractor is very much involved and dictating sizes, shapes and layouts. My roles is "dressing" the place with materials.

They've said they will test the sound once it's all finished, and add acoustic panels behind the sofa if required.

As this is new territory for me (I work on residential projects), this has not just piqued my curiosity, I'm just keen to get it right. But I appreciate I should let the experts (the contractor) do their job how they see fit.
 
It's hard to comment on this without knowing what the intention of this is and where this space is in relation to any other building.

For example, I would question the necessity for having a toilet there. It takes up a lot of space that could be used more productively. Likewise for the vocal booth.

I too am puzzled by the three offset panels in the listening area. I assume the 3d representation is just that, and not how a final configuration would be. For example, the speakers don't look to be placed in a good position for listening.
 
Hi Gecko,

The structure is already in place so there is no option re toilet or booth location.

In relation to the marble wall, where would you position the speakers as the client is replicating what he already has set up in his rented studio.

Thank you
 
So long as there is a 'naked' marble wall within 'hitting' distance of the speakers I cannot see any other result than poor sound and muddled imaging.
The whole design seems to me to be 'arse backwards'. You don't design a supercar by making it pretty first then struggling where to fit the massive V12 motor the turbos and the 10 radiators! (well, the Italians might!)
The only solution I can see in that relatively small space is to trap the ***t out of it and then hang some faux marble fabric!

Dave.
 
Dave. You've got it wrong and I don't need a lecture about supercars. This is what I've been given to work with. Cutting through your slack, your opinion is noted.
 
Londonfatcat said:
Dave. You've got it wrong and I don't need a lecture about supercars. This is what I've been given to work with. Cutting through your slack, your opinion is noted.
Click to expand...
I do understand that you have to deal with this pup as is but what did I "get wrong"? It is a smallish space and a very reflective wall is proposed. I cannot see a fix.

Dave.
 
That's plainly written and I'll take that back to the contractor to discuss. Thank you.
 
Londonfatcat said:
That's plainly written and I'll take that back to the contractor to discuss. Thank you.
Click to expand...
Ok we cool? You asked about the speaker positioning so I shall attempt to be a little more constructive!

What are they? If ported I hope they are not shoved against the back wall? Personally I would not go for that design but for a vertical style.
They look to be too far apart relative to the chair positions. 1.5 to 2mtrs?
The shelves look neat but flimsy and will resonate. The hard desktop will cause some colouration the wall adjacent to the right speaker will certainly need some 'mirror point' treatment. Cannot see the other wall (left) but that needs to be a copy in its distance and style.

Probably THE best solution is some very good small monitors on wall brackets but well away from the wall but really good ones are expensive. Neumann KH80, Genelec co-incident 3 ways. Neither will give masses of trouser flapping bass. Could add a sub or two but cost and subs cause a whole new raft of acoustic compromises. Maybe the client could engage a cheaper sub to impress the punters then turn it off to do the serious mixing when they have left!

Oh and I should qualify all that same as Mike B? "I'm no expert"!




Dave.
 
Thanks, I'm happy to share as much as info as I have.

Speakers:
Focal Twin 6 BE Active Studio Monitor Speaker

Position:
1.2m apart. They're not fixed to these points. My client is looking at enclosures or a decoupled stand. Also, the desk is 70cm deep so the speakers can be brought forward. However, he showed me a photo of his rented studio and the speakers are backed up to the wall....?

Shelves:
I've read about the mirror point treatment and flagged already to my client that both the side walls may need an acoustic panel. Bear in mind, I'm not the expert here but again, the contractor hasn't said anything about the shelves. With the comments here, I'm foreseeing aspects will change in the end once sound testing is done and the client will end up being disappointed. Anyway, the shelves are for his awards and the idea is to have them visible when you walk in.

Your speakers solution:
Something I'll take back to the client and contractor. Thank you :)


​

 
Still didn't see any answers - is this a listening room for clients? What is the purpose? What are the overall dimensions?

Evidently the bathroom is right next to the studio - what's that common wall like? Very hard to keep running water (in pipes) sounds isolated, it carries through walls easily.
 
There is a lot of information available on how to set up speakers in a studio. This picture shows what is typically regarded as an optimum configuration. Not everyone is in a situation to implement this, and the result is a compromise. Speakers hard against the wall and not aligned towards the listener will not result in as effective mixing environment as a configuraiton such as shown.

1613679876273.webp
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top